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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Oct 2001

Vol. 543 No. 1

Written Answers. - Consultant Appointments.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

21 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of permanent consultant posts which remain vacant; the longest period such a post has been left unfilled; the steps he is taking to address this problem; the number of temporary consultant posts nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25602/01]

Responsibility for the filling of vacant consultant posts lies, in the first instance, with the relevant agency or hospital. I wish, however, to advise the Deputy that my Department is currently finalising improved procedures for processing applications for consultant posts once they have been received in my Department from the agencies.

I have received the following data from Comhairle na nOspidéal which sets out the situation with regard to approved consultant posts and which I am happy to provide to the Deputy. The number of permanent consultants posts has now passed the 1,600 barrier: As at 23 October 2001 there were 1,611 approved permanent consultant posts, of which 212 were approved vacant posts. Of these, 12 have been left unfilled in a permanent capacity for two years or more.

As at 23 October 2001, there were 260 approved temporary consultant posts nationally as follows:

Additional temporary posts created for a specific purpose, for example, waiting list initiative, winter initiative etc.

80

Locum consultant appointments where the permanent post holder is on leave, for example, maternity, career break, sick leave, etc.

48

Temporary consultant appointments approved until the permanent appointee, to an approved vacant post, takes up duty.

132

Total

260

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